Seized watches, drugs stolen from NAIA display

MANILA, Philippines - Confiscated imitation wristwatches and illegal drugs on display at the Bureau of Customs office at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 were stolen yesterday morning.

Six imitation wristwatches and sachets of illegal drugs seized 15 to 20 years ago from passengers who flew in from Hong Kong and Bangkok were among the items taken from the display cabinet, NAIA customs district collector Edgar Macabeo said.

He said helper Elena Fuentes, who has been working at the BOC’s NAIA office for more than 10 years, found that the items were missing at around 10 a.m. yesterday.

The display cabinet is located in an area exclusive to BOC personnel, but when the airport renovations started last Jan. 23, construction workers gained access to the area, Macabeo said, but added that he is not accusing the workers of theft.

Fuentes told The STAR that when she checked the cabinet at 9 a.m., “the items were still there.”

Customs collector Malou Rosanes said they had hidden the seized handguns but they could not remove the watches because the display cabinet’s lock was broken and they could not open it.